LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – As the recipient of stimulus funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), the county of Lake will soon realize significant energy savings through cost-effective projects that will be completed on publicly-owned facilities, while at the same helping to stimulate the local economy; create and retain jobs; reduce fossil fuel emissions; reduce total energy usage, and improve energy efficiency.

The contract between the California Energy Commission (CEC) and the county of Lake, which will provide nearly $259,000 in funds from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG), became fully encumbered on Sept. 21 which means the county can begin work on the projects, which must be completed before September of 2012.

Staff in the Lake County Public Services Department submitted an application to the CEC to receive funds for cost-effective energy efficiency projects on county facilities in January of this year in an effort to make better use of taxpayer money.

After a few updates initiated by the CEC, the notice to proceed was issued on Sept. 21.

“The Public Services Department is committed to seeking every opportunity to save energy in county-owned facilities, which in turn will allow government dollars to be allocated to other important programs,” said Public Services Director Kim Clymire.

Clymire further noted that, “Our deputy director, Caroline Chavez, has worked tirelessly with the state to fulfill all requirements and requests that will allow our staff to begin these important energy-saving projects.”

Projects funded by the EECBG include replacing heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) units at Juvenile Hall, Probation, and the Courthouse in Lakeport, as well as at the Mental Health/AODS in Clearlake.

In addition to HVAC units, regular thermostats will be replaced with MAMAC remote systems – which allow the thermostats to be monitored and adjusted remotely – saving staff travel time and money.

Occupancy sensors installed will turn off lights when rooms are unoccupied and automatically turn lights on when occupied.

Contractors will be hired to replace the larger HVAC units in the Courthouse, all other projects will be completed by staff in the Public Services Department, Building and Grounds Division. Funding from this grant will help retain county staff, as well as stimulate the local economy by hiring local contractors.

For more information, contact Terre Logsdon with the Lake County Public Services Department at 707-262-1760.

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